Conveying apparatus.



J. L. POTTER.

CONVEYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATlON FILED NOV. 20, 1913.

Patented July 6, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WI TNESSES:

A TTORNE Y.

J; L. POTTER.

CONVEYING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1913.

Patented J My 6,

SHEET 2.

2 SHEETS IN V EN TOR. 05%

WITNESSES:

A TTORNE Y.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH 60., WASHINGTON, D. c.

JOSEPH L. POTTER, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

CONVEYING APPARATUS.

1,145,438. Y Original application filed February 3, 1913, Serial Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 6, 1915.

No. 745,888. Divided and this application filed November 20, 1913. Serial no. so2,074.-

T0 calla/710m it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH L. POTTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Conveying Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to apparatus for conveying various articles or substances either straightaway horizontally, or on an inclination, or on a curve, the invention having reference more particularly to adjustable trestle construction adapted to be moved as work progresses and to movably support conveying cars thereon, especially in connection with machinery in the operation of excavating sewer or other trenches, as described in my pending application for Let.

ters Patent of the United States,filed February 3, 1913, Serial No. 745,888, of which the present is a divisional application for Letters Patent.

An object of the invention is to provide an adjustable trestle that shall be so con structed as to be adapted to be simply composed of relatively few parts at moderate cost, and which may be readily set up for use or knocked down for shipment.

A further object is to provide a movable trestle of such construction as to be adapted to be of flexible character so as to be suitable for use on uneven ground and under various conditions and yet be strong, durable and economical in use.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a trestle structure which shall be adapted to be adjusted to curvatures or to inclinations expeditiously and without requiring the parts thereof to be cut or recut, or refitted in making various adjustments,

The invention consists in an adjustable trestle having braces adapted to be adjusted relative to the main portions of the structure so that the effective length of the braces may be varied when adjusting the trestle either to curvatures or to inclinations, and the invention consists further in the novel parts, and in the combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafter particularly described and further defined in the append trestle; Fig. 3, a transverse section on the plane of the line A A in Fig. 1; Fig. 4;, a fragmentary side elevation of the trestle adjusted to conform to an inclination; Fig. 5. v

a perspective view of oiie'of the improved braces; Fig. 6, a fragmentary. section approxlmately on the line B B in Fig. 4; Fig.

7,.a fragmentary side elevation of the trestle slightly modified, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the improved bents of the trestle. I V f I Similar reference characters in the different figures of the drawings indicate cor responding elements or features of construction herein referred to.

A practical embodiment of the invention comprises a suitable numberof trestle bents connected together so as to'provide a trestle of the required length for the work on hand, and thehead and tail ends of the trestle may be variously constructed and equipped, the head-end usually being con nected with an engine car, as illustrated in. said pending application for Letters Patent, the trestle being designed to be movably supported on track rails, and for the purpose of illustrating the adaptability of the invention one track rail having straight portions .1 and 2 and an intermediate curved I ers or sills 7' and 8 or 8 A' description of a portion of the trestle will be sufficient to an understanding of the,

invention. One bent of the trestle comprises two legs 9 and 10 provided respectively with flange wheels 11and 12, and a capv beam 13 secured upon the tops ofv the legs. Another similar bent comprises legs 9, and 10 and a cap beam 13. Still another similar bent comprises legs 9. and 10 and a cap beam 13, tlielegs of each bent being provided with similar wheels 11 and 12. One bent is provided with oblique angled corner braceslet and 15, another with similar braces 14 and 15, and another with like braces 14; and 15, each brace being secured to a leg and also to the beam of the trestle bent. Preferably the several bents comprise also a transverse brace 16 or 16' secured to legs and the corner braces of the bent below the cap beam thereof. Preferably each leg, each beam and each brace is composed of rolled iron or steel, L-seetion angle iron preferably being employed. Preferably the upper portion of each cap beam has slightly flattened edge portions 17 and 18 in which bolt holes 19 and 20 are formed in proximity to the tops of the legs of the bent whereby to secure braces to the beam. The top of each cap beam is provided with two securely fixed plates 21 and 21 having upturned flanges 22 and 22 respectively for securing track rails or stringers to the beams. One rail or stringer, as illustrated on the curved trestle, comprises straight portions 23 and 2% and an intermediate curved portion 25, the companion rail or stringer comprising straight portions 26 and 27 and an intermediate curved portion 28. One

I 'rail or stringer is secured to the flange 22,

the other to the flange 22, so that the rails or stringers connect the bents of the trestle together. It will be understood that various portions of the trestle are bolted together and that obviously in rough work of this character the bolts are fitted loosely in the holes provided for them, so that when the bolts are not tightened there is slight movement as between the connected parts.

In some cases, as when the bents are spaced a considerable distance apart, transverse beams 29 are arranged between the cap beams of the bent and provided with plates 21 and 21 having the flanges 22 and 22 which are secured to the two track rails respectively so as to support the beams under the rails, this transverse beam being adapted to have braces connected thereto, the top portion of the beam having the flattened portions 17 and 18 and bolt holes 19 and 20 adjacent to opposite ends respectively of the beam.

In order to brace the legs of the trestle bents so that they shall stand uprightly at all times and squarely support the load thereon, one leg of each bent is provided with a suitable number of bolt holes 30, 31, the companion leg having similar holes 30, 31, 32, the holes being arranged in a vertical row in each leg and extending transversely of the trestle. One leg is provided with a securing bolt 33 and the companion leg with a similar bolt 33 for adjustably seeuring the brace to the leg, the bolts being adapted to be inserted in either one of the holes. Each cap beam is provided with two similar securing bolts 34 and 34 in the holes 19 and 20 respectively, the bolts being adapted to be placed also in the corresponding holes in the transverse beams 29 if desired. A suitable number of angle braces 35, 36, 35, 36, 35 and 36 are provided, being formed as pairs, the two braces of each pair preferably being composed of L-section iron. One brace of each pair is provided at one end with a bolt hole 37 to receive the bolt 33, the other brace of the pair having a similar hole to receive the bolt 33, whereby the two braces are adjustably secured to the two legs of a bent, respectively, the braces extending upward at an inclination to the upper portion of the cap beam of an adjacent bent, or onto a transverse beam 29 as illustrated in Fig. 7. One of the braces of a pair has bolt holes 38. 39, 40 arranged in a longitudinal row and extending vertically through the brace to receive the bolt 34:, the companion brace having similar holes 38, 39, I0 to receive the bolt 3%, the bolts adjustably securing the braces tothe cap beam or to the transverse beam, according to pre-arranged design. The angle braces may be variously adjusted. as for instance, the effective length of the braces, as 35 is shortened on the inner side of the curve, the companion brace 36 being lengthened on the outer side of the curve, the vertical plane of the adjacent bents being divergent each to the other. In some cases the adjustment is made by the braces relative to the beams, and in other cases relative to the legs of the bents. In some cases the rails or stringers 36, as in Fig. are on an inclination while the legs of the bents are adjusted relative thereto so as to stand vertically and are secured by the readjusted braces.

A suitable dumping car 41 is usually employed for conveying the earth hoisted from a trench and discharging the earth back into the trench to refill it as the work progresses, the car having wheels 42 and 42 mounted on one of the rails or stringers and similar wheels 43 and d3 mounted on the companion one'of the track rails or stringers of the trestle.

In practical use the trestle is arranged on the ground and is periodically moved as the work progresses, the articles or substance required to be conveyed being hoisted and deposited or dumped into the conveying car which may be suitably propelled to the place of delivery and again returned to be reloaded, as will be understood. \Vhen an excavation is required to be curved, the angle braces of the trestle bents are readjusted to conform to the requirement, the rails being bent if desired or bent rails provided to conform to the required curvature. In case the trestle is moved onto inclined ground, the angle braces are readjusted so as to maintain the trestle legs in vertical position and may be readily readjusted when level ground is again reached in the course of the work;

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is l 1 A trestle including bents having legs,

stringers secured upon the tops of the bents,

and braces connected to the tops of the bents and adjustably connected to the legs of adjacent bents.

2. A trestle including bents having legs, stringers secured upon the tops of the bents, and braces adjustably connected to the legs and also adj ustably connected to the tops of adjacent bents.

A movable trestle including bents having legs, stringers secured upon the tops of the bents, and braces connected to the legs and adjustably connected to the tops of adj acent bents.

4. A trestle including a plurality of bents com rising each a beam having supporting legs, stringers removably connected to the tops of the beams of ad acent bents, and braces connected to the legs of the bents and also to the beams of adjacent bents and adapted for variance of the effective length betweent-he beams and the legs.

5. Conveying apparatus including stringers, beams secured to the under sides of the stringers, legs supporting the beams, and braces connected to the legs and also to a distant one of the beams and adapted for variance of the effective length between the legs and the beams.

6. Conveying apparatus including a plurality of bents having legs, a plurality of stringers secured upon the bents, a transverse beam secured to the under sides of the stringers, and a plurality of braces connected to the legs of one bent and adjustably connected to the beam.

7. Conveying apparatus including a plurality of bents having legs, a plurality of stringers secured upon the bents, a transverse beam secured to the under sides of the stringers, and a plurality of braces adjustably connected to the legs of one bent and secured also to the beam.

8. Conveying apparatus including a trestle comprising stringers and also supporting legs that are adjustable to different degrees of angularity relative to the plane of the stringers, and means connected to the legs adapted for securing the legs in vertical position when the stringers are inclined.

9. Conveying apparatus including a plurality of bents having legs, a plurality of stringers secured upon the bents, and a plurality of adjustable braces connected With the legs of one bent and to the top of an adjacent bent, the braces being adapted to secure the legs at different angles relative to the plane of the stringers.

10. In conveying apparatus, the combination of a bent comprising a plurality of legs and a plurality of braces connected to'the' beam and also connected respectively to the securing devices. f y

11. In conveying apparatus,the combination of a bent comprising a plurality of legs, a plurality of stringers secured upon the tops of the bents, a beam secured to the under sides of the stringers and a plurality of braces connected to the'flegs respectively and having each a securing deviceadjustably connected thereto, connected to the beam;

12. In a trestle,the combination of a plurality'of pairs of legs having each a plurality of bolt holes therein arranged in a vertical row, a plurality of oapbeams provided each with two bolt holes, the respective beams being secured to the respective pairs of legs, a plurality of stringers secured to the tops of all the beams, a plurality of braces having each a bolt holein one end portion and a plurality of bolt holes in the opposite end portion thereof, and a plurality of bolts arranged each in a difi'erent one of said holes and adj ustaloly securing the braces to said legs and also to the beams that are secured to other legs.

13. In conveying apparatus, the combination of a plurality of trestle bents, and stringers supported on the bents, each bent comprising two legs having each a plurality of bolt holes in the lower portion thereof arranged transversely one above another, Wheels connected with the legs respectively below the bolt holes, a plurality of braces, a bracefor each of the legs, and a plurality of bolts each extending through one of the plurality of bolt holes and securing the brace to the leg, with means for rigidly connecting the braces respectively to the stringers.

14. In conveying apparatus, the combination with stringers, of a plurality of trestle bents supporting the stringers, each bent comprising two legs, two wheels supporting the two legs respectively, two braces secured to the two legs respectively and extending upward at an inclination toward the plane of the stringers, each brace having a plurality of transverse bolt holes in the upper portion at different distances from the end thereof, a plurality of securing bolts each extending through one of the plurality of holes of a different one of the braces, and means for rigidly connecting the bolts respectively with the stringers.

15. In conveying apparatus, the combination of two legs having each a plurality of bolt holes therein arranged one above another, a cap beam supported upon the legs, two stringers supported upon the beam, a cross-beam secured to the under side of the said devices being stringers and provided with two bolts, two braces extending from the two legs respectively and upward to the cross-beam, the upper end portions of the braces having each a plurality of bolt holes therein, one of which receives one of said bolts for adjustably securing the brace to the cross-beam, the lower end portion of the braces being provided each with a bolt inserted in one of the bolt holes of the adjacent leg and adjustably securing the leg to the brace.

16. An adjustable trestle comprising a plurality of bents, each bent comprising two legs, a cap beam secured to the'tops of the legs, two corner braces secured to the two legs respectively and also to the cap beam, and a transverse brace secured to the two legs below the cap beam and secured also to the two corner braces; a plurality of stringers secured to the tops of the cap beams; and adjustable means connected to the legs below the transverse braces of the bents and also operatively connected with the upper portion of said trestle and adapted for variance of the effective length between the legs of the bents and the beams of the adjacent bents.

In testimony whereof, I 'aiiiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH L. POTTER.

Witnesses:

E. T. SILVIUS, M. E. SPARROW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the f Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

